Driftit

Does anyone know why nearly all the Jap imported E9X BMW's have the cloth seats? The dealers like to call this the "Motorsport" interior. The only exposure to the E9X series I have are the US models. Which are nearly always leather. I don't think I have ever seen a cloth interior here on a year 2000+ BMW other than the ZHP alcantara E46. I look at the interiors on cars with 50,000kms and they already look worn and dirty. Is this a problem with them? I actually wondered if all the E9X's flooding into NZ at the moment are all ex rentals. Many have around the same KM's and spec. Example

Scam. US car for sure.

I imported a couple back in the 90's. Ran around in one that Autech had fiddled with for a few years before I moved to 180sx's. It was a great car. My Dad had a manual NZ new P11 Primera SE at the same time.

i'm going to go with most vehicle on TM are overpriced. And people get so offended when you offer them a few grand less that what they are after.

I remember they were so bad that Nissan parts wreckers would pay you $2000 and give you a full manual conversion for your P11 Primera just for your CVT. They would then make a mint from them.

A mate has two of the top spec Corollas. He loves them. Great commuters. But he said he would still rather a manual and said the CVT is still a bit of a dope at times.

Highest Mileage I have seen in NZ. Yet one owner with full service history. Even with that mileage I would trust it more than most of the other mystery M3's on the road.

TBH the NZ car market is very very depressing. sh*t I wish we were LHD.

Its not a 320d. It's a 325d with the 3ltr N57. The ad is a cluster f**k.

Yup. Instantly lost interest.

Would be in Wellington no doubt. I'm looking at 330D's or the 325D which surprisingly has the exact same N57 with a different tune. I don't think the extra for a 335D is worth the money. I was looking at this car. I low balled him and he accepted. It was listed for $16K. Now $14K. He accepted $13K and I reckon would go lower. 2011 E90 325D , NZ New. 110KMs. Motorsport. Though the ad is a cluster f**k. Decoding the vin tells what it actually is. https://www.trademe.co.nz/Browse/Listing.aspx?id=1985367915 https://www.mdecoder.com/decode/f149557 I hate the wheels on it though. Would dump them for some stock 18's. But decided rather than ask mates to look at cars for me I will just wait till I get back and do it myself.

I'm looking at a 2011 E90. It is well spec'd and about $14K less than the equivalent spec'd nice looking F30. It seems all the Poverty spec F30's with the Granddad color schemes went to NZ. It will only be a temporary car though. And will only ever be commuting between the Wairarapa and Wellington.

I had an N55 too. Was great. But I just want a newer vehicle this time around. As for servicing. My intervals would be much shorter than what they recommend. I thought their recommendation was a typo. I'm thinking a cheap late model E90 LCI or something. As long as it is comfy and goes the distance. Seems many of the NZ new ones are poverty pack editions. Zero options were ticked when selecting the vehicles.

Good to hear. By the looks of things I will be commuting on the open road. So one of these looks to be the go. Just got to decide which chassis to go with now.

I'm looking at cars powered by the N57 engine. Has anyone got any experience, warnings, love with them? Read up a bit about them but just wondering about local knowledge. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/BMW_N57

To be honest it doesn't really matter. Who wants to store a car for 20 years with no idea how the laws will change in that time. I would say in the next 20 the noose will tighten for petrol cars.

Back when I was importing cars in the early 2000's it all went by the date it arrived at the NZ ports. So holding onto it for 20 years wouldn't work. There could be changes made to that rule now but I doubt it.

I would say you are going to have to go the SIV route. Otherwise the E39 M5's would already be coming into NZ via the dealers. I'm also pretty sure you need to have SIV approval before the car reaches NZ shores. Good luck.

I am actually looking to head home late May at the moment. If things change I will let you know as PA is only a few hours. Head up there all the time for concerts. I wouldn't buy a car further North than Baltimore to be honest. The rust is insane.

The one I saw sell for $12K (or whatever the deal ended up being) was advertised on a East Coast BMW facebook thing. Most are driven pretty damn hard here. Maybe why the good ones are going for so much. Also collector hype of people hoping to get the next E30 M3. The fake US E36 M3's are going up in price though. No idea why. They are sh*t compared to a real one. Join EastCoast BMW Classifieds on facebook if you want to see some more realistic prices here.

It is pretty well priced from what I hear. My old man is using it in his E55 Merc.

Saw one for sale for $12K the other day. The mint ones are high priced. But there is many many thrashed ones. And Bring a trailer should never be used to gauge car prices. There are some serious muppets buying cars on there.

To be honest. I wouldn't even pay half that. There was an entire kit with a turbonetics turbo, wastegates, ECU, all piping, intercooler and even an exhaust for sale here for $1700US a few months back. And for extra you could buy this cam and Ireland engineering rockers. Was a nice M54 supercharger kit for just over $2K too.

Just curious. What wheels? Are they rare or cheap? Because wheels here in the US are far cheaper and numerous than in NZ.

Yeah for sure. Will get another daily BMW/s. And then look to move the E34 away from the circuit and towards targa.